Do You Find Value in Engineer Sprinkler Layouts?

3/26/2019

There's likely to be a wide perspective on the value of engineer-provided sprinkler layouts on plans that delegate the full-design to the fire sprinkler contractor. Do you feel they provide benefit? Take the poll and comment below.

[Don't see the poll below? Click here.]

Do you find value in engineer-provided sprinkler layouts?

7 Comments

PBJ

3/26/2019 10:10:15 am

It really depends on the complexity of the project.

Dan Wilder

3/26/2019 10:36:40 am

When the Engineer follows the joint position as detailed in the below link. Even going a step further for correct main locations along approved structural members is OK because that typically reserves the space for our trade (not one truss down the middle of a 35K warehouse when a grid system is obvious). I'll even take a sprinkler layout (pendents in a ceiling) provided it's been coordinated at the design level (not into lights/HVAC/security/emergency lighting...). Beyond that, let the design tech (contractor) use NFPA as needed to provide a code compliant system.

There are some special hazard or storage systems that require specific design criteria which all can be detailed within a worded and cited report and do not need drawings.

Luckily, I have some engineers that consult my company when they go beyond the minimums because "they don't deal with design at our level but the owner is asking for more", and we are perfectly happy to consult with them because we run design back through them at times.

https://www.nspe.org/sites/default/files/sites/default/files/resources/PSdownloadables/SFPE-NSPE-NICET-Joint-Position.pdf

Pari

3/26/2019 10:37:48 am

Especially on government projects , engineering design required before go to bid for contractor.

Kelly

3/26/2019 10:49:20 am

I think engineer sprinkler layouts are important where you have a certain aesthetic you're trying to achieve (read: the architect wants you to make them look better), or if you are doing a renovation/retrofit project and must coordinate ceiling tile spaces for the contractor to get a decent bid. Otherwise, let the contractor do the design. They are better at that level of detail and have far more experience in the field than 99% of engineers. Typically I will show and size the mains so that we can get a field of tighter bids, but I don't want to dictate too much or get in the way of a more efficient design than I could have come up with.

Mike

3/26/2019 01:40:51 pm

I find little value from large FPE firms the design fire sprinkler systems because they may know the technicalities of NFPA standards and manufacturers recommendations but they generally do not provide enough detail to qualify as a shop drawing level of design. It still falls and the fire sprinkler contractor to fix it.

Chris

3/29/2019 07:29:07 pm

They make the estimator's job much easier, but more often than not, fall to the wayside because of bad reputation. As a contractor, I've worked off of a couple of engineer-designed systems. In some cases. their way is the only way and it's a copy-paste sort of job. This has been due to--as mentioned above--architectural needs, or sometimes structural steel demands. In others, the sprinklers are spotted just to get a print out and (to a contractor) it's a garbage design that can be significantly improved upon.
In the end, it comes down to the designer (technician) looking at it and determining whether or not the engineer was on their A-game or just pushing prints out the door as quick as possible.

Patrick Drumm

4/17/2019 08:49:50 am

I'd be interested in what the results would be for a similar poll by area / region. I'm always curious if Engineer Sprinkler layouts are any better or worse in respect to other areas within the US. I particularly work in the Northeast.

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